The most abstract form of music is Instrumental Music. John has written pieces for band, small ensembles ("Chamber Music”) and pieces specifically for the organ and piano. This type of music is free to take us beyond words and - as Plato said - "gives a soul to the universe, wings to the mind, flight to the imagination and life to everything.”
BAND
I played french horn in school orchestras and bands, so I learned to love band music. When I was a conducting student at UC Santa Cruz, I was Assistant Conductor of the University Symphonic Band. But I was busy with other kinds of music at the time, and I didn't really get back into Band music until I became Director of the historic Sonoma Town Band in 2014. I've written three original compositions for this great group, and I also put together a small swing band which played in the "Defying Gravity" show at the Sonoma Community Center.
Concerto for Piano and Symphonic Band: A three-movement piece. The piano part is for an advanced player, but is not too technically difficult. The third movement has a Brazilian flavor. GET SHEET MUSIC NOW or check it out on YOUTUBE
ORGAN
As a teenager, I fell in love with the organ music of Bach and I fantasized about playing a real pipe organ myself someday. Now I’ve been an organist for over 50 years, and I’ve the had good fortune to play some of the greatest pipe organs in the Bay Area. From a composer’s point of view, it’s a fascinating instrument to write for, unlike any other.
Three Fugues for Organ: The short contrapuntal works in different styles: Canon and Fugue in G Minor / Fugue in D Minor / Fugue in C Major GET SHEET MUSIC NOW or learn more about the techniques used in writing the piece on YOUTUBE
The Riverboat: Inspired by a trip on an old-fashioned riverboat which had a calliope. This is one of my most popular compositions. GET SHEET MUSIC NOW
We Three Kings: A soft, dreamy meditation on the classic Christmas Carol by John Henry Hopkins Jr. GET SHEET MUSIC NOW
Sunday Afternoon: Sunday mornings are a work day for a church organist. But Sunday afternoons are a time for just sitting and playing for fun. A slow, jazzy piece. GET SHEET MUSIC NOW
Cleopha – by Scott Joplin: I regularly played ragtime on the pipe organ at the Chippewa Valley Ragtime festival. One year, an audience member suggested that I arranged this march by Scott Joplin for the organ. It was an interesting challenge, so I did it and performed it the next year. GET SHEET MUSIC NOW
The Radloffski March: A bravura march, written for my good friend – Jim Radloff – who was the director of the Chippewa Valley Ragtime festival. GET SHEET MUSIC NOW
CHAMBER MUSIC
Nativity Sinfonia (Flute, Flute/Piccolo, Violin I, Violin II, Violin III, Cello, Bass, Organ. A Viola part is included which may be substituted for Violin III): This piece has three, short movements. Each movement is a fantasia on two Christmas carols, and are suitable for performance as part of a Christmas Eve service.
Quelle est cette odeur agréable? /Un flambeau, Jeanette, Isabelle
Veni, Veni, Emmanuel /Divinum Mysterium
The Snow Lay on the Ground / In Dulci Jubilo
GET SHEET MUSIC NOW....for SCORE and PARTS
Two Pieces for Brass Quartet (Trpt 1, Trpt 2, Trombone, Tuba): Fanfare on “Regent Square” for Brass Quartet is based on the hymn-tune to “Angels From the Realms of Glory”, and It Came Upon The Midnight Clear for Brass Quartet GET SHEET MUSIC NOW
Still, Still, Still (Flute, Trpt 1, Trpt 1, Trombone, Tuba, Organ): A short, meditative piece based on the famous Austrian carol. The brass players can be placed in a separate area for an antiphonal effect. GET SHEET MUSIC NOW
Clarinet Sonata (Clarinet and Piano) A three movement piece – moderately difficult. GET SHEET MUSIC NOW
The following are not currently available for sale, but if you’re interested, please CONTACT ME to request a copy.
Duet for Oboe and Clarinet: A short piece for Oboe and Clarinet
At the Manger (Violin, Viola, Piano): A Fantasia incorporating “Silent Night” and the two traditional melodies for “Away in A Manger” (“Mueller” and “Cradle Song”).
Two Cello Duos: Two short studies. An interesting feature of #1 is that the two cello parts are in different key signatures.
SOLO PIANO
Sonatina in E-Flat: A three movement piece for advanced pianists. SHEET MUSIC AVAILABLE SOON
PIANO DUO
La Perla Negra: A tango-inspired piece for two pianos, four hands. GET SHEET MUSIC NOW and VIEW ON YOUTUBE
Five Voice Fugue in A Minor: For two pianos, four hands. GET SHEET MUSIC NOW
Lucy Goose Sings: "Take a Gander at me Now!": For one piano, four hands. A fun, swaggering piece in early jazz style. GET SHEET MUSIC NOW